Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Blogger Guilt

I feel guilty when I do not blog.  But is am wondering - is this really something to be guilty about?

The reason for not posting is usually time pressure but sometimes it is creativity.  So for creativity - I welcome any ideas you would like me to blog about.

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I posted an article on Linkedin on easy video marketing.   I believe in video for marketing but am not a real consumer of video (No TV does that).

I like the Linkedin publishing platform.  Open rate is still fairly low.  100-200 people read a post out of 5,000 connection.

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I love Simon Sinek's thinking.  I just re-read his book - Start with the Why.

And I was thinking what would a good why be for Danby and DDE Media?   The how and what of selling appliances, doing SEO are not inherently noble.

So I thought about the many interviews I have done on the Syrian refugees and why I am sponsoring 50 families.  There is a humanitarian crisis.  So "I do the right thing".

So at Danby and DDE Media, our Why will be "We do the right thing".  On a micro level, it works.  We treat each other well and with respect.  We produce good product at fair prices.  We don't spend $10,000 if we can do it for $2,000.  We do not spend 40 hours doing a 5 hour job.  But mostly, it resonates at the macro level.  We do the right thing for the world.  Appliances and SEO just allow us to do that.

Tied to this - a study revealed ethical bosses produce ethical staff.  I am not seeing a lot of my staff becoming vegetarian or even putting up solar panels.  But I do believe the study result so...we do the right thing.

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My favourite workout is still the 7 minute workout.  I have an app on my phone that counts it down and tells me what to do.  Business Insider did an article that it actually works so hope they are right.

I find the 7 minute workout a bit light on abs so I like to throw in a couple of ab exercises before starting.  The toughest parts for me are the side planks at the end (I know, they are abs).  And the spiral pushups.

What I would like to see is a couple of other 7 minute workouts along the same lines.  To work out other muscle  groups.  To allow for recovery between working out muscles.

I will never substitute this 7 minute workout for my fitness routine but it is a great addition.

Best days for me are 2-3 ab exercises, 7 Minute Workout, some curls and tricep work with dumbells followed by 30 minutes cardio followed by 7 Minute workout again.    It is awesome - can hardly move after that.

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Sunday, March 20, 2016

Triggers for Productivity

I find I am productive or not based on triggers.

For me, one of my best triggers is working out.  When I start my day with a good workout (like today), I tend to be more productive all day.  I even tend to eat smarter.  Productivity is higher.  A simple workout triggers much positive in my days.

Another positive trigger is taking a walk outside.  Even a short walk is a good pick me up.

Yesterday I did go to the gym but I forgot my shoes so I skipped my work out and sure enough, my day was not productive.

Another negative trigger for me is being tired.  When I am tired, I tend to not get much done.  And worse, I often stay awake rather than sleep!  Another is playing internet bridge or chess.  Easy to slip into non-productivity.

The easiest way for me to gain momentum - positive or negative is to know my triggers and do them or avoid them.

Identifying what your triggers are can help improve productivity.

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I re-published an article on all press being good press.  Seems my mind is on marketing today (like most days)
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Thinking I should try sitting like this...

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Spurt to Work

Danby has a factory in Findlay, Ohio  (and we are soon opening one in Mobile, Alabama).  The drive to Findlay from Guelph is about 5 hours.  I usually visit there on Monday - ideally on a Canadian holiday.  Being there on Monday lets me drive down on Sunday.

I take it leisurely.   I drive for 45 minutes then stop.  Take a short walk and open my computer and work on projects.  I work in spurts.

I find these short spurts of work interspersed with drive time really increases my productivity and creativity.  While driving, I usually listen to audio books.  Usually ones on marketing or psychology but recently I also enjoyed "the Big Short" - the story of the meltdown of the subprime mortgage and housing market in the US.  Captivating listen.

The tempo of drive, walk, work seems to work well.  Perhaps I should try it when I am not driving anywhere.

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I read an interesting article on impressions in marketing.   The thesis was this should be the measure of any social media campaign.  What the article did not speak about was things like frequency vs reach (most marketers believe more frequency beats more reach).  Social media is perfect for frequency since they people you are connected to or your followers see what you broadcast repeatedly.

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I continue to get good traction on my Linkedin articles.   My article on increasing self discipline - increasing energy has over 100 views.  This is the same as increasing marketing impact.  Too early but I just did one on Momentum in Marketing.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

The Power of 30 Minute Meetings and Videos

A while ago, Forbes printed an article on the power of 30 minute meetings.  Of course it interested me.  I generally dislike meetings and the dislike is proportional to the length of the meeting.

My simple addition to what is said in the article is "be on time".  And in the age of devices, it is simple to start on time.  First thing each day, I set alarms on my device for 2-3 minutes before each meeting.  This is a very simple practise that I practically insist people do.  The wasted stress of watching a clock and the time wasted by others of being late is easily avoided.

To be crude, I recently listened to some of Robert Sutton's work.  He is author of "The No Asshole Rule".  One of his definitions is people who make others wait for them and who make meetings start late.

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I am not a big advocate of video personally although I know many others like it.  I just think it takes too long.

Danby has a few videos.   A brand video.  And a fairly good one on design.

The exception to "videos that take too long" are ones that provide humour or excitement or some other characteristic that might even help them go viral.  Danby has yet to do a viral video but we have a few ideas.

Beer companies tend to have some of the most creative and funny ones.

And a grandchild video.

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Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.

Almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet, death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it, and that is how it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It's life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.